[SOLVED] Windows 10 Activation

[jackymcsparrow]

I built a cheapo new machine and activated my copy of Windows 10 on it. A family member asked if I could build them a PC as well, so I just went ahead and built the same computer again, but I did not activate a copy of Windows, deliberately leaving the key blank so they could purchase a license if they wanted one, and deliberately installing an un-activated copy.

To my surprise the system boots, and it says Windows is Activated, .....so I'm like hmmm, it better not be using my key. So I look into how to find product key on Windows and sure enough, probably because I've built another exact copy of the same system Windows has automatically pulled MY key. I dont even use Microsoft accounts on Windows, I use local accounts, so I don't know how it's done this other than probably the same hardware/network, is my guess. I also used the same USB stick that I'd created with my other computer, but isn't that just a bootable generic installation? Anyway, how do I stop this complete and total BS, I tried removing the key from the second machine using slmgr, but if you press troubleshoot it automatically activates Windows again... I can't give this machine to my family member if it's stealing my copy of Windows.

 

[SkyNetRising]

This "cheapo new machine" for family member - what did you use to make it?
If the motherboard was used before in a different pc and there was windows 7/windows 8 installed and later upgraded to windows 10,
then it would have windows 10 license attached to it.

Edit:
Wait ... if I'm understanding this right -

you built a pc,​

installed windows 10 on it,​

activated windows,​

then used the same computer and just reinstalled windows 10.​

Is that right?

Obviously it has activated windows on it. Windows activation is stored on MS servers with digital fingerprint of your motherboard.

You can move license away to a different pc by using MS account and windows activation troubleshooter.

 

[jackymcsparrow]

The key in my machine was upgraded from 7 to 10 when they did the free upgrades in 2016 (I didn't mean to put new there, I just upgraded a few things recently). The second machine wasn't to my knowledge, but it's the same motherboard, I got it cheap online last week. If it makes any difference, it says "Windows is activated with a digital license" on both machines, but if you use tools to lookup the key (which I did because I wanted to know how it was activated when I didn't enter a key), it shows the key as my original key on both machines. That's not how it's supposed to work I'm sure, and I don't want the second machine messing with my activation, I don't even know how it pulled that key, I deliberately didn't enter one when installing Windows....

 

[SkyNetRising]

Upgraded machines from previous version of windows will have same generic key.
You can find your key in this list:
https://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1828275-Windows-10-Generic-Product-Keys

 

[jackymcsparrow]

So does that mean the board I purchased last week someone activated a 7/8 key and upgraded to 10 on it previously?

 

[SkyNetRising]

If that was previously used board, then yes - that's quite possible.

 

[jackymcsparrow]

I just googled my key, it is a generic key on both machines..... never knew about that. I just pulled out my Windows 7 DVD from the closet and yeah it's a different key :/ ..... cool to know, thanks SkyNetRising